ENVISIONING   SuNSTAINABILITY

Using the SuNstainable DesignWays™ approach, Joanne will facilitate a participatory process of envisioning and design with your project team. Design is the creative process of developing new ideas and possibilities and integrating them within the context of a particular organization, place and time. This process galvanizes team learning and creative thinking.

natural step workshop

Apply the principles of sustainable development

SuNstainable DesignWays™ is a design, planning and training tool. It integrates holistic goal formation and creative thinking within the framework of sustainability provided by The Natural Step™. We coined the term SuNstainability in 1998 because the term Sustainability is often used without reference to ecology and the vitality of the biosphere. SuNstainable implies the capacity to continue within the sun-driven cycle of ecology.

DesignWays offers a step-by-step method for designing human habitats, processes and landscapes at various levels of scale. Each plan created with DesignWays is different, dependent on people's goals and on the local context.

ecological principle - all waste = food

Design innovative solutions

The DesignWays approach integrates The Natural Step with Permaculture design, participatory goal formation (based on Holistic Management) and creative thinking tools (based on the work of Edward de Bono). It explores the use of living systems biology as a basis and metaphor for design, and offers a flexible, comprehensive tool for assessment and design from a dynamic systems perspective.

group dialogue

Engage productive stakeholder dialogue

The templates used in this approach employ Mind Map® techniques. A Mind Map  is a graphic technique for representing ideas, developed by Tony Buzan. Group dialogue is enhanced through the interactive tools and dynamic facilitation process. Carrying out this process enhances creativity and communication and galvanizes team learning and action.

"DesignWays is an ideal method for communicating complex relationships and approaching sustainable design. It serves as a practical medium to involve everyone in the design process." Jason Wilkinson, The Solar Living Center in Eugene, Oregon.

Benefits   curly button 1.gif (285 bytes) develop a framework for decision making and strategic planning
curly button 1.gif (285 bytes) skills - participants will learn skills to design creative solutions in their projects and work
curly button 1.gif (285 bytes) search for source of problems and avoid treating symptoms - save time and money
curly button 1.gif (285 bytes) increase productivity and reduce waste
curly button 1.gif (285 bytes) increase motivation and productive dialogue, galvanize team learning and action
curly button 1.gif (285 bytes) increase long term planning and stakeholder commitment
Range of Participation  The amount of participation from members of an organization varies, depending on the needs of the participants. As many stakeholders as possible should attend an introductory workshop. It is possible for a core team of people to carry out the full process with the design facilitator, bringing in more people for key stages such as clarifying values and forming goals.
Range of Workshop Options  This design process can be carried out in an intensive workshop, taking place over several days, or it can be carried out over a longer period of time -  with shorter workshops and more project work by the design facilitator in between group sessions. The stages of design are tailored to the client's needs and circumstances.
home page Examples of SuNstainable DesignWays work. 

Article with more information